In the article, published by TIME Magazine, Markle writes about her time in India, where she worked closely with World Vision. During her visits to both Delhi and Mumbai, Markle witnessed the negative affect a lack of access to menstrual hygeine information and products could have on young girls, namely stopping them from attending school.

"During my time in the field, many girls shared that they feel embarrassed to go to school during their periods, ill equipped with rags instead of pads, unable to participate in sports, and without bathrooms available to care for themselves, they often opt to drop out of school entirely," wrote Markle.

She continued: "Furthermore, with minimal dialogue about menstrual health hygiene either at school or home due to the taboo nature of the subject, many girls believe their bodies are purging evil spirits, or that they are injured once a month; this is a shame-filled reality they quietly endure."

The actress used her essay to champion both World Vision and Myna Mahila Foundation, an organisation who make and sell reusable sanitary napkins.

"Beyond India, in communities all over the globe, young girls' potential is being squandered because we are too shy to talk about the most natural thing in the world," wrote Markle.

"To that I say: we need to push the conversation, mobilize policy making surrounding menstrual health initiatives, support organisations who foster girls' education from the ground up, and within our own homes, we need to rise above our puritanical bashfulness when it comes to talking about menstruation."

"When we empower girls hungry for education, we cultivate women who are emboldened to effect change within their communities and globally. If that is our dream for them, then the promise of it must begin with us. Period."